CORE to form new church body

Leaders of Lutheran Coalition for Renewal or CORE said in November they will work to form a church body with a more traditional denominational structure. A gathering to consider such a move is set for an Aug. 26-27 convocation in Columbus, Ohio.

The group severed ties with the ELCA after the 2009 Churchwide Assembly approved a human sexuality social statement and voted to allow congregations — if they choose — to call clergy in committed same-sex relationships.

"We have not made any firm decisions about what this church body will be or how it will be structured. That reality will come into focus as the working group meets with the members of Lutheran CORE who are looking for a new church body and with other Lutheran church bodies and reform movements in North America," said Ryan Schwarz, a CORE Steering Committee member.

At a September 2009 meeting in Fishers, Ind., CORE leaders had asked for conversation "toward a possible reconfiguration of Lutheranism."

Some 122 of the ELCA's more than 10,400 congregations have taken the first of two votes required to leave the ELCA, the denomination's secretary, David D. Swartling, reported in early December. Of those, 35 failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required. Five congregations have already affirmed in two votes to leave the ELCA.

Comments

Chris

Posted at 5:36 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/2/2010

I think that it is unfortunate that Professor James Scherer was unable to deliver his paper, "A Gamaliel Moment", when CORE met late last year. I have been fortunate enough to read that paper several times and feel that it has much to say to the church today. Whether it would have changed any final outcome is debatable, but it provides much for us to consider.

When we read the Gospel and really look at who the disciples were and also re-examine so many people throughout the Old Testament, God made use of an amazing and surprising group of people - people broken and fractured by their very humanity and yet used for God's purposes.

In my personal understanding of the issues, I am faced with the question, "Is it for me to decide whom God will use or for God?" How do I cope with that when I may not agree with God. Professor Scherer reminds us that Gamaliel may have good advice for us at this point in time as well. Thank you.

Stephen Miller

Posted at 4:27 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/5/2010

Since the ELCA is less than concerned with what scripture says, how about bringing back Temple Prostitution too? It would solve many of the Lutheran Church's problems. Read:

I have an idea. Call me an a old fart if you like but why should a scientific study about a common social statis be allowed to change the original message given to us in scripture? What power outside the second coming of our Lord gives us the right to change the WORD because of our "Bound Conscience". I have a feeling that many people have forgotten how to be afraid of God. I am a member of CORE and at no time has CORE severed ties with the ELCA. Core is encouraging all of its ELCA/CORE members to stay in conversation. I don't know where the information in the article in The Lutheran came fron but it's wrong. CORE said that if we found that we can no longer continue being a part of or having anything to do with the ELCA, they would be there to help us through our troubled times. What a wonderful thing to be a part of... A group that wants to help any and all people without changing the the rules set forth by our Creator and our Redeemer. What is the FINAL AUTHORITY ? The Word of God, the desire of man/woman, the Bound Conscience of a group........ Where will we turn in the final days? Will we turn to the 2009 writings of the ELCA? Will we turn inward to whatever our conscience tells us, Or....... Will we look to the LORD? What I think doesn't count.. What He thinks does.... No matter what "side of the fence" you're on, Pray Hard !!!

Robert

Posted at 8:21 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/12/2010

Seems to be some disagreement within CORE or its members on exactly what is their relationship with the ELCA. Neither I nor my congregation is a member of CORE nor do we plan to be. I'm very disappointed that the situation has come to a probable schism. However, I fully support the decisions made at the Convention. I know that this will be grounds for condemnation by members of CORE and their sympathizers but I feel that the ELCA path is not only the Lutheran way but the Christian way.

Nathan W

Posted at 7:42 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/16/2010

So the question is whats next for the ELCA to support? There are many fringe groups watching the outcome of both political and religious organizations on this sexual matter. I wonder how the ELCA will treat the man boy love group or maybe the incest crowd when they want the same rights. Remember that ELCA leadership thinks its alright if cross dressers come to church in drag. You can't say this won't happen because these actions are against the law and the scriptures. Ten years ago no one would have thought we would go down the road we have. This is the problem when you want to be everything to everyone. There are many other reasons the ELCA is on the skids.The problem is we are so wrapped up in the sexual outcome we are not paying attention to what else the Leadership is supporting. All CORE wants to be is the sanity check that seems to be missing.

Martin

Posted at 11:06 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/21/2010

What is the original message given to us in Scripture? This morning I read in Luke about the woman at the well. Jesus tells her that the water from Jacob's well will leave us thirsty and the water from Jesus is the living water which will satiate our thirst.

Looking at the red-lettered text in my Bible, the living water from Jesus, I find that the original message given to us in Scripture is to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In Matthew and Luke Jesus gave us His fundamental teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew) or Plain (Luke). Toward the end of John Jesus gave us a new commandment that is to love one another as He loved (loves) us.

I am very sad to see that people think they need to form a new organization because of something as trivial as the sexual orientation of consenting adults. To me the mission work of the ELCA shows we are a church living within the fundamental message of Jesus and shows we are serving God.

Martin

Posted at 10:57 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/22/2010

PS The reading for the Woman at the Well is not in Luke, rather John 4:5-26 ff

Nathan W

Posted at 9:03 pm (U.S. Eastern) 1/23/2010

One of the things some Christians always refer to is the fact Jesus always included everyone in his teachings. At that point they stop. What they don't want to talk about is what he said to them during his ministry. The Bible records that Jesus never hessitated to tell those who sinned they did so. Jesus directs us to tell those who sin to repent not ,worry about offending them or political correctness. Please tell me Martin where you can find any place in the New Testment where Jesus ignored sin because he was affraid of offending someone. While he said love the sinner hate the sin, he was very clear what sin was and how it was easy to make excuses for those who do. We welcome those who sin to hear the word of God and the love of Jesus. But we are also obligated to help that person out of the life of sin. And yes that lifestyle is a sin.

Martin

Posted at 5:31 am (U.S. Eastern) 1/24/2010

All pastors, all pastors, are sinners as there has only been one to walk the face of this earth who was sinless -- Jesus. We should have the same compassion for a pastor who is in a committed same-sex relationship as we do for a divorced pastor who is remarried. If what the ELCA did at the Churchwide Assembly was wrong in God's eyes, God will forgive us and will continue to bless us as a church.

Don't think I don't have limits: I draw the line at a pastor who is abusing his or her power, sexually or otherwise, or a pastor having an affair outside a committed relationship or a pastor who is unmarried living with a partner where it is possible to get married -- including homosexuals in Iowa or other states where marriage is allowed (in other states pastors should have a public commitment ceremony for their same-sex partnership).

I am a proud member of the ELCA, because it is doing something about the suffering of the world through mission work; it is answering the higher call Jesus gives us in the red letters of the Scriptures to compassion. To not answer this higher call to mission work is also a sin.